Western NY sheriff sets up safe spot for private online buys

Nov. 07, 2017

GENESEO, N.Y. (AP) — A western New York county now has a "Safe Transaction Zone" outside the sheriff's office for people doing business with strangers online.

The Livingston County Sheriff's Office created the safe zone in the village of Geneseo amid a national increase in crimes associated with online purchases. A number of municipalities around the nation have set up similar safe sites.

The outdoor meeting place for buyers and sellers is under recorded video surveillance and is monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A red-and-white sign at the site reads "Sheriff's Office Safe Transaction Zone."

Sheriff Thomas Dougherty says they already have dealt with a transaction-related assault in Livingston County.